Sorry, Garry! I have plans today, but this weekend for sure, I promise!
You wouldn't believe how many times he's heard that from her lips. Well, she's still that kid he met and escaped with from that nightmare of a gallery. Never again will he go anywhere with Guertena's name on a plaque. Even so, he was still thankful to that place. He got to meet Ib, who later turned out to be his best friend. All his other friends or at least people he knew were either dirty minded or something messed up about them. The joys of adult friends in an adult world… Ib was the only innocence in his life and one that he could be open to. He had watched her blossom into a lovely young 16 year old teen over the years and is rather proud of how she was still the same this whole time. She was still tough, innocent, smart and always curious. Even now he still taught her new words to add to her vocabulary whenever she's reading a new book at his apartment. Although, he'll admit that he missed reading to Ib, but something had to change, right?
He walked casually with his hands in his pockets to their usual café. He could never get enough of their crispy macaroons. The door opened with a tiny ding, the air tinted with freshly brewed coffee and warm sweets. The brunette waitress looked up and flashed him a brilliant smile, still recognizing his face.
"Haven't seen you in a while!" She greeted with such cheer.
The man smiled back of course and gave a small laugh. "I've been busy with my paintings." No, that was a lie. It just felt awkward to eat at the same place alone after going with someone for so many years. Actually, it's awkward in general if you don't have anything to do.
"Is that case?" She chuckled. She leaned to the side a smidge, peering to the tiles behind him. "Oh? Ib's not with you?"
He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, avert his eyes to the window outside for a moment. "She's been busy lately. High school, you know? Clubs and such." He sounded rather unsure considering Ib never told him what she was up to. He often did his best to avoid snooping into her personal business. Whatever she wanted to tell him, she'll tell him anyways, right?
The waitress tapped her pen to her lip with a low hum. "Could be a boyfriend." She answered bluntly. "Well, it doesn't help to just wonder about it so sit down. I'll get your usual."
"Right, thanks, Mimi." He chuckled. He reached out and pulled a newspaper from the stack by the door before reaching his seat. Leaning back in his seat and setting his ankle over his leg, he began to read through articles, his eyes skimming for something interesting to read. He raised a brow at one title though. "Strange Sightings in Art Gallery?" He muttered quietly. He set his eyes on the first sentence.
The door opened for a new pair of customers, the little bell acting as the signal alerting the staff. Normally Garry wouldn't pay any mind to it, but then a familiar voice reached his ears and called for his attention.
Wait, is that…?
A young high school brunette walked in, her fingers intertwined with that of a blonde male. The same delicate smile, the way she walked, the silky long brown hair and more importantly the ruby eyes caught the man's attention. His sapphire eyes grew fixated on the two, watching their moves carefully from behind the newspaper. Was Mimi right? Did Ib get herself a boyfriend? And if she did, why hide it? He quickly hid his face as soon as they started walking past his table. It didn't sit right in his stomach though, the idea of Ib having being in a relationship. He kept eying the blonde she was with. Flaxen blonde hair that parted to the side shined under the café's dim lighting and his blue eyes were full of life. Yet somehow, something wasn't right with this kid.
Oh crap, where'd they go? His eyes darted around the café trying to figure out where they went.
"Garry?"
He done-near froze in his seat, his fingers crumpling the edges of the papers. He quickly set them down on the table and turned around.
"H-Hey Ib! I didn't know you were here!" He forced a hearty laugh.
"What are you talking about? I could see you watching me." She answered.
Garry's face grew flushed with embarrassment, his hand running though his purple locks. "Right… Observant as always." He mumbled. "So what brings you here?" He asked, attempting desperately to change the subject.
Ib smiled, scratching at her rosy cheeks. "I… I'm on a date." She answered shyly. The brunette looked back at the teen and gestured him to come. "Garry, this is Martin, my boyfriend. Martin, this is Garry, a good friend of mine."
Garry pouted a bit. "Aw, just a good friend?" He laughed a bit and held out his hand. "Just a joke. A pleasure to meet you, Martin."
"The pleasure's all mine, sir. She's told me much about you." Martin was certainly polite as he returned the handshake.
His hand actually startled Garry for a moment. As they shook hands, he felt a chill run up his arm and down his back. Slowly, he let go and warmth came flooding back into his red fingers. "J-Just call me 'Garry'. No need to be so formal." He tried to subtly swallow the lump in his throat.
"Why don't you two get acquainted? I'll be right back." As she said that, she turned the heels of her boots and made her way to the restroom. The two watched her back as she disappeared into the mahogany door, letting a few seconds of silence pass. Awkward, tense and not to mention nerve-racking.
During that time Garry couldn't help, but feel uneasy about Martin. It'd be a good time to interview him though…
"So you're dating Ib, right?" He started. Yikes, weird question to start with.
"Yes. She's really interesting. Smart too."
"You have me to thank for that. I always read her books when she was young and taught her words she didn't understand." He chuckled as he thought back to those relaxing days in his apartment.
Martin smiled. "Is that right? You're a good teacher then." He set his elbow on the table and leaned into his knuckles. "But if you don't mind, I'd like to teach Ib a few things myself."
"I'm sorry what?"
The blonde smiled innocently as if he didn't mean anything, but the atmosphere around him told an entirely different story. Something didn't feel right with him. The look in his eyes bore into Garry, as if he was planning something. It actually startled the man for a moment, but it only took seconds for him to decide that he didn't like Martin.
The teen pulled a red rose from the vase on the table, not caring about the thorns that were left on the stalk. "Roses are delicate aren't they?"
Garry raised a brow at the boy. He only seemed to be getting stranger – not better. An unexplainable feeling panged in his chest. He was frozen stiff by this person in front of him. The only moment he was actually more scared than now was back in the art gallery.
"It's amazing how quickly they can wilt." He held the flower above his head, watching the bright red petals die away to brown, turning into shriveled pieces. One by one they fell to his laps, almost blending into his black uniform pants. He began to mutter something quietly as be petal fell. "… loves me… loves me not…"
"Just what are you-"
"Martin, you ready to go?"
Garry snapped his head around to have his eyes meet Ib's. "O-Oh, Ib. Take-out, I presume?"
She nodded cheerfully. "We're going to the park. He's modeling for me for my art project."
"I-I see… That's nice." His voice was starting to waver. From the corner of his eye he noticed Ib's somewhat confused look. "Don't mind me, I'm just tired."
"Oh… Take better care of yourself, Garry. C'mon, Martin, hurry up while there's still light out."
"I'm coming." He laughed. "It was a pleasure to see you, Garry."
He pushed the chair back as he stood up and started his walk towards the door. Then suddenly, he felt fingers wrapped around his wrists. His dark blue eyes looked down at the sitting Garry, his eyes now narrowed and serious compared to that gentle look he normally had. "Is something wrong?"
Like hell something's wrong…
Garry stared at him before speaking. It's clear something wasn't right with Martin, but what was it? "If you hurt Ib, I will personally break you myself."